SUNDAY 3 May 2020 Zechariah Chapter 3 Clean Garments for the High Priest

Major Prophets (4): Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel & Daniel

Minor Prophets (12): Pre-exilic: Amos, Obadiah, Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah

Exilic: Ezekiel & Daniel (Major Prophets) Post-exilic: Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi Written: The was written in the period 520 – 470 B.C.

Name Zechariah: ‘Jehovah remembers’

Purpose: To trace God’s program during the Times of the Gentiles.

Theme of Zechariah: The theme is during the Times of the Gentiles. TIMELINE 587/6 B.C. Southern Israel () taken to Babylon in exile. 539 B.C. King Cyrus (King of Persia) overthrows Babylonians. 538 B.C. Edict issued by Cyrus. 530 B.C. King Cyrus dies. 522 B.C. Darius becomes ruler of Persia. TIMELINE 520 B.C. Zechariah & Haggai begin to prophesy. 515 B.C. The 2nd Jewish Temple is completed under Governor .

• Temple takes 23 years to complete. • No foreign labour involved. • Dedicated on 12 March 515 B.C. by Zerubbabel. Content: Zechariah is given: 8 visions & 4 messages.

Key Phrase: ‘Jehovah of Hosts’

– occurs 52 times in this Book Let’s listen to Zechariah Chapter 3 Clean Garments for the High Priest :16-17

16 “Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I will return to with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the Lord Almighty. 17 “Proclaim further: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort and choose Jerusalem.’ ” ZECHARIAH 3

Clean Garments for the High Priest 1 Then he showed me standing before the angel of the Lord, and standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” ZECHARIAH 3

3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. 4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” ZECHARIAH 3

5 Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.”

So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by. ZECHARIAH 3

6 The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: 7 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.’” ZECHARIAH 3

8 “‘Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.’” ZECHARIAH 3

9 See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.’ ZECHARIAH 3

10 “‘In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah Chapter 1 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH

Vision #1: Vision of the Horses (Ch 1)

Man on Red Horse – 2nd Person of the Trinity (i.e. God the Son)

Other coloured horses – God’s angels dealing with affairs of human govt. 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #1: Vision of the Horses (Ch 1) • Report from Angels → the world is at ease while Israel remain desolate. • Negative report - Things are not moving towards God’s plan. • God is displeased with Gentile nations - they went beyond & will be punished. • God’s house will be rebuilt. • Jerusalem (chosen city) will prosper & grow larger. 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #2: Vision of the Horns (Ch 1) Main point → God is in control. • God’s punishment to the Gentile nations for going too far against Israel elaborated in 2nd vision; • God takes everyone into account who lifted their hand against Israel; • God has complete knowledge of his people; • Principle of the outworking of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12:3) – “I will curse them that curse me.” 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #2: Vision of the Horns (Ch 1)

Horns? – representative of the 4 Gentile empires that scattered Israel – as revealed by Daniel 2 & 7 prophecies. - Babylonian - Medo-Persian - Hellenistic - Roman 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH

Vision #2: Vision of the Horns (Ch 1)

Craftsmen/Smiths? – the 4 individuals (kings/leaders) that God uses to cast down the horns of the 4 Gentile empires. 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #2: Vision of the Horns (Ch 1)

- Babylonian (King Cyrus) - Medo-Persian (Alexander the Great) - Hellenistic (Pompey, Roman General) - Roman (Jesus Christ destroys the Antichrist who is the ruler of the 4th Gentile empire) 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #2: Vision of the Horns (Ch 1) Why have they come? They have lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it. But because they went beyond what God wanted them to do, they will be punished. Outworking of Abrahamic Covenant – “Those that curse me, I will curse”. Zechariah Chapter 2 The Man with the Measuring Line 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #3: Vision of Man with the Measuring Line (Ch 2)

Measuring line is a symbol of building up.

Jerusalem will be a city without walls (v4) - Multitude of men & cattle therein; - A symbol of security (Ezekiel 38:11) 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #3: Vision of Man with the Measuring Line (Ch 2)

Jerusalem will be a city without walls (v4)

- Multitude of men & cattle therein; - A symbol of security (Ezekiel 38:11) 1. Jehovah will be a wall of fire around the city (v5). 2. God’s Shekinah Glory will be present in the city (v5b). Explanation of the 3rd Vision (v6-13):

Jews to escape Babylon – Israel will be restored (v6-7).

God will make Jerusalem (not Babylon) the centre of the world. is sent to punish Gentile nations for mistreating Jews (v8). This refers to the 2nd Coming of Jesus. Zechariah Chapter 3 Clean Garments for the High Priest “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”

Zechariah Chapter 3:4 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #4: Vision of Clean Garments for the High Priest (Ch 3)

The point of the 4th vision is –

God will cleanse Israel so that the nation can fulfill the function of becoming a kingdom of priests. 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #4: Vision of Clean Garments for the High Priest (Ch 3)

COURT CASE (v1-5)

God – The Judge Joshua (High Priest) = ISRAEL Satan – Prosecuting Attorney Other angels 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #4: Vision of Clean Garments for the High Priest (Ch 3)

Joshua is standing before a court of law, ready to be judged. If Joshua is condemned, so is Israel. But if Joshua is declared innocent & cleansed, so is Israel. 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #4: Vision of Clean Garments for the High Priest (Ch 3)

The reason Satan is rebuked is because of God’s unchanging love & His choice of the Jews as His chosen people.

And so, God intends to save Israel. 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #4: Vision of Clean Garments for the High Priest (Ch 3)

Joshua clothed in ‘filthy garments’.

Hebrew = ‘most loathsome character’ 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #4: Vision of Clean Garments for the High Priest (Ch 3)

But Joshua will NOT be condemned.

He will be declared innocent. Why?

Because the Messiah will take the guilt upon Himself. The Judge’s verdict: “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” Zechariah Chapter 3:4 The Message to Joshua the High Priest Zechariah 3:6-10 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #4: Vision of Clean Garments for the High Priest (Ch 3)

Joshua is given 2 duties (v7a):

1. “Walk in my ways” (personal spiritual walk)

2. “Keep my requirements” (his official duties) 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #4: Vision of Clean Garments for the High Priest (Ch 3)

If Joshua obeys these 2 duties, then he will receive 3 rewards (v7b):

1. You will judge/govern my house (Temple) 2. You will keep my courts (control Temple) 3. I will give you a place of access among the angels. 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #4: Vision of Clean Garments for the High Priest (Ch 3)

The priests are a sign/symbol of things to come that God will bring forth his servant, the Branch (v8). 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #4: Vision of Clean Garments for the High Priest (Ch 3) The BRANCH Doctrine: Mark → Jesus the Messiah, the Servant of Jehovah. Luke → Jesus the Messiah, the Son of Man Matthew → Jesus the Messiah, the King of the Jews. John → Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #4: Vision of Clean Garments for the High Priest (Ch 3) The BRANCH is a stone (v9).

Stone → symbol of the Messiah; There is only one stone, not many. Messiah’s name written on the stone. 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #4: Vision of Clean Garments for the High Priest (Ch 3) He will remove the sin of this land in a single day (v9b).

Specific land → the Holy Land. National regeneration of Israel will occur in one day when they believe in the Messiah. 8 VISIONS OF ZECHARIAH Vision #4: Vision of Clean Garments for the High Priest (Ch 3) 4th Vision ends with the Millennium (v10)

‘under the vine & under the fig tree’ - was a symbol of security & prosperity in the Millennial kingdom especially.

Also found in 1 Kings 4:25, Isaiah 36:16 & Micah 4:4. NEXT WEEK Sunday 10 May 2020 Zechariah Chapter 4 NEXT WEEK Sunday 10 May 2020 Zechariah Chapter 4

“I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”

Let’s Pray